Aug. 19, 1999
SportsLine wire reports

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Timberwolves Thursday signed their second first-round pick in this year's draft, Duke guard William Avery.

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Per terms of the collective bargaining agreement, Avery will receive $3.141 million over three years. The team holds a $1.371 million option for a fourth season.

The Timberwolves selected Avery with the 14th pick, fearing they would lose starting point guard Terrell Brandon to free agency. Brandon was acquired mid-season in a three-team deal involving star Stephon Marbury.

"We were very excited to draft William and now look for him to be a solid contributor for us," Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale said. "We feel William will help us upgrade our outside shooting."

Avery was an honorable mention All-America as a sophomore at Duke last season. He averaged 14.9 points and 5.0 assists while shooting 48.3 percent from the floor, including 41 percent of his 3-pointers, and 81.0 percent from the free throw line.

Minnesota made Miami of Ohio forward Wally Szczerbiak the sixth overall pick and signed him to a three-year, $5.28 million deal, based on terms of the CBA.

The Timberwolves already had helped their frontcourt this week, re-signing forwards Joe Smith and Tom Hammonds.